V.  \t 


&.*• 


SHORT  ACCOUNT 


OF  THB 
» 
„> 


TAKEN  FROM  OFFICIAL  DOCUMENTS, 


ASD 


ADDRESSED  TO  THE  FAIR  MINDED  AND  THE 
WELL  DISPOSED. 


TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED 


AN  ATTESTED  COPY 


OP   THB 


SECRET  JOURNAL  OF  THAT  BODY. 


BOSTON : 

PUBLISHED  BY  O.  EVERETT,  13,  CORNHILL. 

1823. 


ACCOUNT 


OF   THE 


MR.  OTIS  was  a  member  of  the  Hartford  Convention.  This 
is  the  text,  paraphrase  and  commentary,  in  all  its  forms 
and  readings,  of  all  the  reproaches,  imputations,  mis- 
statements,  and  misrepresentations,  now  proclaimed  and 
promulgated  against  the  federal  candidate  for  Govern- 
or. An  objection  of  the  same  sort  was  circulated  with 
even  greater  vehemence  and  virulence  against  Governor 
Brooks.  Though  not  a  member,  he  was  said,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  a  well-known  democratic*  paper,  to  have  been 
the  "  idol  of  that  body"  and  to  have  been  designated  by 
them  as  the  leader  of  the  "  rebel  army,"  that  was  to  have 
executed  its  treasonable  plans.  And  it  is  obvious  that  the 
same  objection  would  also  be  uttered  against  any  other 
candidate,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  which 

*  We  do  not  use  this  word  in  any  other  sense  than  that  of  designat- 
ing one  of  the  great  political  parties  of  this  country.  We  make  this 
explanation  because  it  is  not  the  purpose  of  this  "  Short  Account,"  to 
cast  hasty  and  indiscriminate  reproaches  upon  the  great  body  of  any 
party.  Our  simple  and  single  purpose  is  to  present  to  the  people  of  this 
State  a  brief  history  and  vindication  of  the  proceedings  of  one  party 
upon  a  most  momentous  occasion. 
1 


M198481 


called  the  Convention,  or  any  distinguished  individual 
who  had  approved  of  its  measures.  To  all  persons  of 
sense  and  information,  who  were  grown  up  to  manhood  at 
the  time  of  the  Convention,  the  unfounded  and  unceas- 
ing accusations  thrown  broad-cast  upon  the  members  of 
that  body,  and  renewed  at  every  election  during  eight 
years,  have  now  become  insipid  and  worthless,  and  are 
utterly  worn  to  the  thread.  All  such  persons  well  and 
truly  know,  that  whatever  took  place  at  that  time,  was 
done  not  only  in  the  face  of  the  broadest  day,  but  in  the 
face  of  the  political  adversary ;  that  it  was  proclaimed 
and  spread  far  and  wide  by  records,  pamphlets  and  news- 
papers ;  that  there  never  was,  and  never  could  have  been, 
either  silence  or  mystery  or  secrecy,  and  above  all,  that 
the  proceedings  of  the  Convention  itself  do  not  contain  a 
sentiment  or  an  opinion,  but  what  in  other  times  and  from 
the  lips  of  other  men,  would  be  called  patriotic  and  pub- 
lic spirited.  Still,  a  generation  has  grown  up  into  active 
and  useful  life  since  that  period,  and  as  the  declaimers  and 
writers  against  the  Convention  have  never  thought  proper 
to  publish  in  their  papers  the  transactions  of  that  body, 
it  is  now  believed  that  a  brief  history  of  it,  accompanied 
by  some  notices  of  its  members,  would  not  be  ill  received 
by  those,  who  either  have  not  leisure  or  documents,  or 
inclination  to  study  its  proceedings  in  great  detail  or  at 
much  length. 

In  the  summer  of  1814,  the  war,  which  before  had  not 
approached  nearer  than  the  great  northern  lakes,  at 
length  fell  unexpectedly  and  in  an  alarming  manner  upon 
the  borders  of  Massachusetts.  The  English  in  consider- 
able force  captured  Castine,  a  small  town  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Penobscot,  and  in  a  short  time  had  the  absolute  con- 
trol of  all  that  part  of  Maine,  which  lies  to  the  eastward 


of  that  great  river.  Intelligence  was  shortly  received  by 
express  at  Head  Quarters  in  Boston,  that  the  enemy  was 
preparing  to  execute  without  delay  a  more  extensive  in- 
vasion, and  it  therefore  became  necessary  to  take  mea- 
sures of  immediate  and  vigorous  defence.  Under  these 
distressing  and  disastrous  circumstances,  CALEB  STRONG, 
at  that  time  Governor  of  the  Comnlonwealth,  resolved  to 
assemble  the  members  of  the  Legislature.  The  General 
Court  accordingly  met  on  the  5th  day  of  October  of  the 
same  year ;  and  His  Excellency  commenced  his  Message, 
which  subsequent  events  have  made  more  important  than 
any  other  Message  that  has  been  delivered  in  this  coun- 
try since  the  Independence,  in  the  following  words: — 
"  Since  your  last  adjournment  such  important  changes 
have  taken  place  in  the  state  of  our  public  affairs,  and 
the  war  in  which  we  have  been  unhappily  involved  has 
assumed  an  aspect  so  threatening  and  destructive,  that 
the  Council*  unanimously  concurred  with  me  in  opinion 
that  an  extraordinary  meeting  of  the  Legislature  was 
indispensable."  We  shall  shortly  see  that  a  majority  of 
the  House  of  Representatives,  without  example  since  the 
existence  of  the  State  Government,  entirely  coincided  in 
the  opinions  expressed  by  the  Governor.  Two  days  after 
the  session  began,  on  the  7th  of  October,  a  resolution  ap- 
proving of  the  Governor's  conduct  as  it  related  to  the  de- 
fence of  the  state,  passed  the  House  by  a  vote  of  222  to 
59.  On  the  13th  of  October  another  resolution,  author- 
izing the  Governor  to  raise  ten  thousand  men  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  State,  passed  the  House  by  a  -cote  of  252  to 

*  Honorable  Benjamin  Pickman,  Jun.  John  Brooks,  John  Lord, 
James  Lloyd,  David  Cobb,  Oliver  Fiske,  Samuel  Tales,  George  Bliss, 
and  Nahum  Mitchell. 


6 


71.  And  on  the  16th  of  October  the  celebrated  fifth  re- 
solution, authorizing  the  calling  of  a  Convention  at  Hart- 
ford, passed  the  House  of  Representatives  by  a  vote  of 
260  yeas  to  90  nays.  The  resolution  is  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing : — 

"  Resolved,  That  twelve  persons  be  appointed  as  dele- 
gates from  this  Commonwealth  to  meet  and  confer  with 
delegates  from  the  other  New  England  States,  or  any 
other,  upon  the  subject  of  their  public  grievances  and  con- 
cerns ;  and  upon  the  best  means  of  preserving  our  re- 
sources ;  and  of  defence  against  the  enemy ;  and  to  devise 
and  suggest  for  adoption  by  those  respective  States  such 
measures  as  they  may  deem  expedient ;  and  also  to  take 
measures,  if  they  shall  think  it  proper,  for  procuring  a 
convention  of  delegates  from  all  the  United  States,  in  or- 
der to  revise  the  Constitution  thereof,  and  more  effectually 
to  secure  the  support  and  attachment  of  all  the  people, 
by  placing  all  upon  the  basis  of  fair  representation." 

On  the  18th  of  October,  the  delegates  from  Massachu- 
setts were  chosen  in  a  convention  of  the  two  Houses. 

These  votes  are  recorded,  and  as  we  are  not  disposed  to 
allow  the  democratic  papers  to  call  the  proceedings  of  the 
people  of  this  State  at  that  time  the  work  of  sorry  factions, 
cabals,  and  intrigues,  we  shall  give  the  votes  of  the  coun- 
ties of  Massachusetts  Proper  in  detail  as  they  appear  upon 
the  Journals  of  the  House. 

The  following  are  the  yeas  and  nays  given  for  the  reso- 
lution : — 

The  county  of  Suffolk  gave   '  .  .32  yeas  and    0  nays 
"            Essex    ...         44     "  9    " 

"  Middlesex         .  .     18    «  17    « 

"  Norfolk        .        .  5    "  11    " 

"  Plymouth          .  .       9     "  3    " 


The  county  of  Bristol  gave  .         13  yeas  and    1  nays. 

«  Barnstable  .         .       4  "  2    " 

"  Worcester  .         .         36  "  11    " 

«  Hampshire  •         •     19  "  0    « 

«  Hampden  .         .         12  "  3  .  « 

«  Franklin  .  .         .     20  "  2    " 

«  Berkshire  .         .         14  "  8    " 

226  yeas  and  67  nays. 

We  have  taken  the  votes  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
as  expressing  more  emphatically  the  voice  of  the  people, 
and  it  appears  that  three  quarters  of  all  the  citizens  of  this 
Commonwealth  were,  in  1814,  in  favour  of  the  Hartford  Con- 
vention.    Shall  we  now  be  told  that  these  citizens  were 
tainted,  corrupted,  and  held  in  bondage  by  plots,  bribery, 
and  prejudice  ?  And  does  any  man  in  the  State  believe,  or 
will  any  man  of  any  party  now  say,  that  half  a  dozen 
individuals  led  blindfold  and  muzzled  for  three  years 
three  quarters  of  the  virtuous,  intelligent,  and  indepen- 
dent people  of  Massachusetts?   Nay,  have  continued,  not- 
withstanding countless  charges  and  accusations,  any  one 
of  which  would  have  amounted  to  a  gross  desertion  and 
sacrifice  of  the  welfare  and  interests  of  the  State  and 
Union,  still  to  lead  blindfold  and  muzzled  this  deluded 
people — eight  years,  fellow  citizens,  of  bondage  and  servitude  ! 
Mark,  reader,  the  result.    These  weak  and  degenerate 
men,  gave  for  this  Caleb  Strong,  in  the  year  1815,  the 
first  year  after  the  Hartford  Convention,  they  gave  him, 
we  say,  50,921  votes,  and  the  candidate  of  the  other  party, 
the  honorable  Samuel  Dexter,  43,938  votes,  as  great  a  re- 
lative majority  as  he  had  received  the  year  before ;  and 
since  the  year  1816  they  have  continued  to  give  to  John 
Brooks,  "  the  rebel  general,"  a  majority  equally  great  in 
relative  numbers.     For  eight  years  the  people  of  this  State 


8 

have  each  and  every  year  confirmed,  affirmed,  and  rati- 
fied the  proceedings  of  the  Hartford  Convention.  For  eight 
years  they  have  each  and  every  year  chosen  for  their 
rulers  the  authors  and  supporters  of  those  measures  ;  and 
where  is  the  man  that  will  now  stand  out  before  the  citi- 
zens, and  say  that  the  independent  electors  of  Massachu- 
setts have  given  their  votes  the  whole  of  that  time  for  re- 
bels and  traitors. 

Here  finish  the  public  proceedings  of  Massachusetts  as  it 
regards  her  own  domestic  policy  concerning  the  origin  of  the 
Hartford  Convention.  But  Massachusetts  manifested  no  de- 
sire either  to  conceal  the  transactions  of  her  own  government 
from  the  scrutiny  of  the  whole  nation,  or  to  withhold  from 
the  States  of  the  Union  a  cooperation  in  her  own  measures. 
The  sense  of  her  citizens  was  at  that  time  well  known, 
and  in  relation  to  the  Hartford  Convention,  she  adopted 
without  delay  that  course  of  conduct,  of  which  an  eminent 
example  had  been  given  less  than  half  a  century  before,  and 
which,  in  this  juncture  of  affairs,  was  especially  desirable 
and  judicious,  from  the  vast  magnitude  of  the  subject  and 
occasion.  The  two  officers,  who  presided  over  her  Senate 
and  House  of  Representatives,  were  therefore  directed 
to  make  known,  as  speedily  as  possible,  to  the  different 
governments  of  the  union,  the  proceedings  of  the  govern- 
ment of  this  Commonwealth.  We  here  insert  at  large  the 
letter  which  was  written  on  this  occasion. 

COMMONWEALTH    OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

Boston,  October  17,  1814. 

SIR — Your  excellency  will  herewith  receive  certain  resolu- 
tions of  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  which  you  are  re- 
spectfully requested  to  take  the  earliest  occasion  to  lay  before 
the  Legislature  of  your  State,  together  with  this  letter,  which 
is  intended  as  an  invitation  to  them,  to  appoint  delegates,  if 


they  shall  deem  it  expedient,  to  meet  such  others  as  may  be 
appointed  by  this  and  other  States,  at  the  time  and  place  ex- 
pressed in  these  resolutions. 

The  general  objects  of  the  proposed  conference,  are,  first, 
to  deliberate  upon  the  dangers  to  which  the  eastern  section  of 
the  Union  is  exposed  by  the  course  of  the  war,  and  which 
there  is  too  much  reason  to  believe  will  thicken  round  them  in 
its  progress,  and  to  devise,  if  practicable,  means  of  security  and 
defence  which  may  be  consistent  with  the  preservation  of  their 
resources  from  total  ruin,  and  adapted  to  their  local  situation, 
mutual  relations  and  habits,  AND  NOT  REPUGNANT  TO  THEIR  OBLI- 
GATIONS AS  MEMBERS  OF  THE  UNION.  When  convened  for  this 
object,  which  admits  not  of  delay,  it  seems  also  expedient  to 
submit  to  their  consideration,  the  inquiry,  whether  the  interests 
of  these  States  demand  that  persevering  endeavours  be  used  by 
each  of  them  to  procure  such  amendments,  to  be  effected  in  the 
national  constitution,  as  may  secure  to  them  equal  advantage, 
and  whether,  if  in  their  judgment  this  should  be  deemed  im- 
practicable, under  the  existing  provisions  for  amending  that 
instrument,  an  experiment  may  be  made  without  disadvantage 
to  the  nation,  for  obtaining  a  Convention  from  all  the  States  in 
the  Union,  or  such  of  them  as  approve  of  the  measure,  with  a 
view  to  obtain  such  amendment. 

It  cannot  be  necessary  to  anticipate  objections  to  the  measure 
which  may  arise  from  jealousy  or  fear.  This  Legislature  is 
content,  for  its  justification,  to  repose  on  the  purity  of  its  own 
motives,  and  upon  the  known  attachment  of  its  constituents  to  the 
national  union,  and  to  the  rights  and  independence  of  their  country. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  highest  respect,  your 
Excellency's  humble  servants, 

JOHN  PHILLIPS,  President  of  the  Senate 

of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 
TIMOTHY  BIGELOW,  Speaker  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  said  Commonwealth. 

To  THE  GOVERNOR  OF  THE  STATE  OF . 

2 


10 

This  letter  is  important,  not  only  for  the  proper  conti- 
nuation and  understanding  of  our  history,  but  it  plainly 
proves  that  the  same  party  which  recorded  its  yeas  in  favor  of 
the  Union  and  the  Constitution,  in  February,  1788,  had  dimi- 
nished nothing  of  its  respect  and  attachment,  in  October,  1814. 

The  Delegates,  to  the  number  of  twenty,  from  the  States 
of  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  Rhode  Island,  and  from 
parts  of  New  Hampshire,  and  Vermont,  assembled  at  Hart- 
ford, in  December,  1814,  and  on  the  4th  of  January,  1815, 
published  a  long  Report ;  stating  with  great  ability  the  opi- 
nions of  the  Convention,  in  relation  to  the  construction  of 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  We  do  not  expect 
that  any  man  will,  at  the  present  time,  take  the  trouble  to 
read  this  Report,  but  it  has  heretofore  been  read  with 
admiration,  by  the  wisest  men  of  all  parties  in  this  country ; 
and  whatever  may  be  thought  of  one  abstract  point  ol  con- 
stitutional law,  discussed  in  it,  we  have  never  known  any 
citizen,  whatever  might  be  his  creed,  as  to  the  great  ques- 
tions of  war  and  peace,  and  of  State  and  federal  powers, 
impute  seditious  or  treasonable  motives, or  tendencies,  either 
to  the  language  or  sentiments  of  the  Report. 

The  Report  concluded  by  recommending  two  Resolutions, 
urging  the  State  Governments  to  solicit  the  consent  of  the 
United  States  to  an  arrangement,  whereby  the  defence  of 
the  territory  should  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  States. 
This  was  the  substance  of  the  resolutions,  and  it  was  also 
the  substance  of  a  law,  incredible,  and  unlocked  for,  as  it 
certainly  was,  which  was  enacted  by  the  national  govern- 
ment on  the  27th  day  of  January,  1815.  We  shall  quote 
part  of  the  first  section,  as  we  profess  to  deal  in  facts  in 
this  history.  "  Be  it  enacted,  &c.  That  the  President  of 
the  United  States  be,  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  and 
required  to  receive  into  the  service  of  the  United  States, 


11 

any  corps  of  troops,  which  may  have  been,  or  may  1je 
raised,  organized,  and  officered  under  the  authority  of  any 
of  the  States,  whose  term  of  service  shall  not  be  less  than 
twelve  months,  which  corps,  when  received  into  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  shall  be  subject  to  the  rules  and  arti- 
cles of  war,  and  be  employed  in  the  State  raising  the  same,  or 
in  an  adjoining  State,  and  not  elsewhere,  except  with  the  assent 
of  the  Executive  of  the  State  so  raising  the  same"  Laws  of 
the  U.  S.  vol.  4-  p.  778. 

Now,  we  declare,  and  we  appeal  most  solemnly  to  every 
honest  man,  who  lived  in  those  disastrous  days,  if  the  whole 
bone,  and  muscle,  and  marrow  of  the  controversy,  was  not 
touching  the  exact  and  precise  point  which  this  law  abso- 
lutely and  entirely  settled.  We  ask  again,  whether  there 
would  have  been  a  Hartford  Convention,  if  this  law  had 
been  passed  in  January,  1814,  instead  of  January,  1815. 
One  more  fact  from  the  Journals  of  Congress,  equally 
extraordinary  with  the  one  we  have  just  recited,  and 
equally  abounding  in  testimony  of  the  value,  and  pa- 
triotic, and  virtuous  views,  of  the  Hartford  Convention. 
On  the  6th  of  February,  (see  Senate  Journals)  1815,  Mr. 
Varnum,  a  Senator  from  Massachusetts,  made  the  following 
motion :  "  Resolved,  That  the  Committee,  to  whom  was  re- 
ferred that  part  of  the  President's  Message  of  the  20th  of 
September  last,  which  relates  to  the  military  establishment, 
be  instructed  to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  making 
provision  by  law,  for  the  payment  of  the  militia  which  have 
been  called  out  by  the  authority  of  any  State,  for  the  de- 
fence of  any  part  of  the  United  States,  against  invasion^ 
since  the  commencement  of  the  present  war,  and  not  taken 
into  the  pay  of  the  United  States,  and  for  reimbursing  any 
State  for  any  monies  advanced  for  pay,  rations,  camp 
equipage,  and  all  other  expenses  necessarily  incurred  in 


12 

calling  out  such  militia,  according  to  the  rules  and  re- 
gulations prescribed  by  law,  for  defraying  the  expense 
of  calling  out  the  militia  by  authority  of  the  United 
States."  On  the  10th  of  February,  Mr.  Giles,  a  Senator 
from  Virginia,  introduced  a  Bill  in  conformity  with  this 
instruction.  It  had  three  readings,  and  passed  to  be  en- 
grossed on  the  18th  of  the  same  month,  by  the  title  of 
"  An  act  to  authorize  the  settlement  and  payment  of  cer- 
tain claims  for  the  services  of  the  militia."  This  Bill  was 
sent  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  but  before  it  could 
go  through  a  discussion,  and  the  parliamentary  forms,  the 
news  of  peace  arrived.  What  is  this,  we  beg  to  inquire, 
but  acknowledging  in  plain  and  direct  terms,  the  justice 
and  propriety  of  all  the  proceedings  of  New  England, 
during  the  war.  And  how  will  any  editor  or  statesman 
of  the  other  party,  say,  that  Massachusetts  is  not  entitled 
to  her  militia  compensation,  and  will  never  receive  one 
pistareen  of  it  under  a  federal  administration,  when,  by 
the  agency  of  two  of  the  stoutest  enemies  of  New  England 
policy,  the  principle  of  remuneration  was  recognised  dur- 
ing the  administration  of  Caleb  Strong,  in  Massachusetts, 
whose  measures  have  since  been  so  obnoxious  to  demo- 
cratic reproach. 

The  Hartford  Convention  further  recommended,  that 
the  States  should  propose  seven  amendments  to  the  Con- 
stitution, for  adoption  by  the  State  Legislatures.  These 
amendments  are  all  printed  in  the  report,  and  when  any 
democrat  in  Massachusetts,  or  Virginia,  will  declare  that 
Samuel  Adams,  or  Patrick  Henry,  was  not  in  favor  of  simi- 
lar alterations  in  the  Constitution,  and  did  not  vindicate 
them  at  all  hours  of  the  day,  we,  in  our  turn,  will  admit 
that  the  amendments  of  the  Hartford  Convention  are 
overflowing  with  sedition,  disunion,  and  treachery. 


13 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Legislature,  in  the  winter  ses- 
sion of  1815,  a  Report  was  made  by  a  Committee,  of  which 
D.  A.  White  was  chairman,  concerning  the  Hartford  Con- 
vention, from  which  we  shall  extract  one  or  two  sen- 
tences : — "  The  expediency  of  having  invited  a  convention 
of  delegates  from  the  New  England  States,  is  fully  proved 
by  the  result  of  their  labours  communicated  with  his  Ex- 
cellency's Message." — "  The  Committee  entertain  a  high 
sense  of  the  wisdom  and  ability  with  which  the  conven- 
tion of  delegates  have  discharged  their  arduous  trust ; 
while  they  maintain  the  principle  of  State  sovereignty, 
and  of  the  duties  which  citizens  owe  to  their  respective 
State  governments,  they  give  the  most  satisfactory  proofs 
of  attachment  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  to 
the  national  Union." — Therefore, — "Resolved,  That  the 
Legislature  of  Massachusetts  do  highly  approve  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  convention  of  delegates,  from  the  States 
of  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  Rhode  Island,  and  the 
Counties  of  Cheshire  and  Grafton,  in  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire,  and  the  County  of  Windham,  in  the  State  of 
Vermont,  convened  at  Hartford,  on  the  fifteenth  day  of 
December,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
fourteen  ;  and  that  the  advice  and  recommendation  therein 
given,  are  entitled  to,  and  shall  receive  the  most  respect- 
ful consideration  of  this  Legislature." 

"Resolved,  That  His  Excellency  the  Governor,  with 
the  advice  of  Council,  be,  and  he  hereby  is  authorized 
and  empowered  to  appoint  three  commissioners  to  pro- 
ceed immediately  to  the  seat  of  the  National  Government, 
and  in  pursuance  of  such  instructions  as  His  Excellency 
and  the  Honourable  Council  may  think  proper  to  give 
them,  to  make  an  earnest  and  respectful  application  to  the 
Government  of  the  United  States,  requesting  their  consent 


14 

to  some  arrangement,  whereby  the  State  of  Massachu- 
setts, separately,  or  in  concert  with  neighbouring  States, 
may  be  enabled  to  assume  the  defence  of  their  territo- 
ries against  the  enemy ;  and  that  to  this  end  a  reasonable 
portion  of  the  taxes,  collected  within  said  States,  may  be 
paid  into  the  respective  Treasuries  thereof,  and  appro- 
priated to  the  payment  of  the  balance  due  to  the  said 
States,  and  to  the  future  defence  of  the  same :  the  amount 
so  paid  into  the  said  Treasuries,  to  be  credited,  and  the 
disbursements  so  made,  as  aforesaid,  to  be  charged  to  the 
United  States ;  and  the  Senators  and  Representatives  of 
the  Commonwealth,  in  Congress,  are  hereby  requested  to 
cooperate  with  said  Commissioners  in  effecting  this  object." 
These  resolutions  were  adopted  by  a  vote  of  159  to  48  in 
the  House  of  Representatives." 

The  Governor  accordingly  appointed  three  gentlemen 
to  go  to  Washington  without  delay — whose  commission  is 
in  the  words  following : — 

"COMMONWEALTH  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

"  To  the  Honourable  Harrison  G.  Otis,  Thomas  H. 
[L.  s.]  Perkins,  and  William  Sullivan,  all  of  Boston,  in  the 

County   of  Suffolk,   and   Commonwealth  aforesaid, 
Esquires. 

"CALEB  STRONG. 

"  GREETING. 

u  Whereas  by  a  resolve  of  the  Legislature  of  this  Com- 
monwealth, of  the  twenty-seventh  day  of  this  present 
month,  the  Governor,  with  the  advice  of  Council,  is  au- 
thorized and  empowered  to  appoint  three  Commissioners, 
to  proceed  immediately  to  the  seat  of  the  National  Go- 
vernment, and  in  pursuance  of  such  instructions  as  His 
Excellency  the  Governor,  and  the  Honourable  Council, 
may  think  proper  to  give  them,  to  make  earnest  and  re- 


15 

spectful  application  to  the  Government  of  the  United 
States,  requesting  their  consent  to  some  arrangement, 
whereby  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  separately,  or  in 
concert  with  neighbouring  States,  may  be  enabled  to  as- 
sume the  defence  of  their  territories  against  the  enemy; 
and  that  to  this  end,  a  reasonable  portion  of  the  taxes, 
collected  within  said  States,  may  be  paid  into  the  respective 
Treasuries  thereof,  and  appropriated  to  the  payment  of 
the  balance  due  to  the  said  States,  and  to  the  future  de- 
fence of  the  same ;  the  amount  so  paid  into  the  Treasu- 
ries to  be  credited,  and  the  disbursements  so  made,  as 
aforesaid,  to  be  charged  to  the  United  States.  And 
whereas,  by  said  resolve,  the  Senators  and  Representatives 
of  this  Commonwealth,  in  Congress,  are  requested  to  co- 
operate with  said  Commissioners  in  effecting  this  object. 

"  Now,  therefore,  by  virtue  of  the  Resolve  aforesaid,  and 
the  power  and  authority  thereby  vested  in  me,  I,  CALEB 
STRONG,  Governor  of  the  said  Commonwealth  of  Massa- 
chusetts, confiding  in  the  ability,  integrity,  and  patriotism, 
of  the  Honourable  Harrison  G.  Otis,  Thomas  H.  Perkins, 
and  William  Sullivan,  Esquires,  citizens  of  the  said  Com- 
monwealth, have  nominated,  and  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent of  the  Council,  do  appoint  you  the  aforenamed,  the 
Honourable  Harrison  G.  Otis,  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  and 
William  Sullivan,  Esquires,  to  be  Commissioners  for  the 
purposes  aforesaid,  and  with  authority  to  do  and  perform 
whatever  is  directed  and  required  in  the  said  Resolve,  a 
copy  of  which  is  hereunto  annexed. 

"  And  you,  the  said  Commissioners,  will  proceed  imme- 
diately to  the  seat  of  the  National  Government,  and  in 
obedience  to  the  requisitions  of  the  Resolve  aforesaid, 
and  of  instructions  given  you  by  the  Supreme  Execu- 
tive of  this  State,  a  copy  of  which  also  accompanies 


16 

this  commission,  will  make  respectful  and  earnest  ap- 
plication to  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  re- 
questing them  to  consent  to  some  arrangement,  by  which 
this  Commonwealth  separately,  or  in  concert  with  neigh- 
bouring States,  may  be  enabled  to  assume  the  de- 
fence of  their  respective  territories  against  the  enemy ; 
and  a  portion  of  the  taxes  collected  within  said  States 
may  be  paid  into  the  respective  Treasuries  thereof,  ap- 
propriated to  the  payment  of  the  balance  due  to  said 
States,  and  to  the  future  defence  of  the  same,  the  amount 
so  paid  into  the  said  Treasuries,  to  be  credited,  and  the 
disbursements  so  made,  as  aforesaid,  to  be  charged  to  the 
United  States.  And  in  your  endeavours  to  effect  this  ob- 
ject, you  will  also  consult  with,  and  solicit  the  assistance 
and  cooperation  of  the  Senators  and  Representatives  of  this 
Commonwealth,  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

"  In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  the  seal  of  this 
Commonwealth  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  at  Boston, 
this  thirty-first  day  of  January,  A.  D.  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  fifteen,  and  in  the  thirty- 
ninth  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 

"  By  His  Excellency  the  Governor, 

" ALDEN  BRADFORD, 

"  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth." 

These  gentlemen  arrived  in  Washington  one  day  after 
the  news  of  the  peace  had  reached  that  city.  That  cir- 
cumstance was  in  itself  the  most  successful  accomplish- 
ment of  their  mission,  but,  that  the  Government  was  not 
only  disposed  but  prepared  to  comply  with  every  proposi- 
tion, contained  in  the  commission,  we  have  already  fur- 
nished abundant  proofs  in  this  brief  history. 


17 

We  have  now  related  every  fact  concerning  the  Hart- 
ford Convention,  and  wherein  lie  the  secrecy  and  mys- 
tery attributed  to  that  body.  The  original  and  only 
Journal  of  the  Convention  is  deposited  in  the  Secretary 
of  State's  office  in  this  city*  It  is  always  ready  and  open 
for  the  inspection  and  examination  of  every  one,  and  has 
been  read  during  the  last  month  by  many  persons.  Like  the 
journal  of  all  deliberative  assemblies  it  is  a  record  of  pro- 
positions and  votes.  A  copy  of  this  journal,  certified  to 
be  genuine  by  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth,  has 
been  deposited  in  the  printing  office  of  the  National  In- 
telligencer, at  Washington,  and  if  it  had  been  hung  up  on 
one  of  the  pillars  of  the  capitol,  surely  more  publicity 
would  not  have  been  given  to  it.  We  also  subjoin  an  at- 
tested copy  of  it  at  the  end  of  this  brief  account.  If  it 
contains  treason,  sedition,  or  other  inflammatory  matter, 
why  have  not  Messrs.  Gales  and  Seaton,  or  some  southern 
democratic  editors,  or  some  northern  democratic  editors, 
published  it,  or  parts  of  it  ?  And  will  the  public  ever  be- 
lieve that  if  it  could  have  furnished  the  democratic  edi- 
tors of  this  State  with  the  least  jot  or  tittle  of  an  argu- 
ment or  of  a  fact,  that  none  of  it  during  five  years  would 
ever  have  entered  their  presses  ?  Are  those  gentlemen  in 
the  habit  of  manifesting  that  spirit  of  indulgence,  cour- 
tesy, forbearance  and  consideration,  to  the  faults  and  foi- 
bles of  their  adversaries  ?  On  the  contrary,  have  they 
not  shouted  Hartford  Convention,  crucify  him !  crucify 
him !  for  eight  years — and,  forsooth,  is  it  out  of  kindness 
and  good  feeling  that  they  have  abstained  all  that  time 
from  publishing  this  most  foul  and  traitorous  journal  ? 

The  printed  Report  of  the  Convention  was  publicly, 
and  for  several  days,  discussed  in  the  Legislature — it  was 

then  published  at  the  end  of  the  Resolves  of  that  session, 
3 


18 

and  it  has  from  that  time  to  this,  passed  in  the  form  of  a 
pamphlet  through  three  editions.  In  that  report  you  will 
find  the  political  creed  of  the  men  who  belonged  to  the 
Hartford  Convention.  By  this  they  are  willing  now,  and 
through  all  ages,  to  be  judged.  Do  them,  therefore,  the 
justice  to  quote  from  a  Report  which  they  deliberately 
and  solemnly  wrote,  and  to  which  they  have  publicly  set 
their  names.  If  you  wish  to  inform  your  political  friends 
what  Mr.  OTIS  now  believes,  and  what  he  believed  and 
said  in  the  Hartford  Convention,  publish  that  Report. 
How  comes  it,  then,  that  HARRISON  GRAY  OTIS,  and  his 
associates,  acting  in  obedience  to  instructions,  given  by 
three  fourths  of  the  people  of  this  Commonwealth,  were 
leagued  together  in  1814,  in  a  base  conspiracy  to  break 
down  this  great  and  vigorous  Republic,  when  in  1823,  hit 
political  friends  invite  and  beseech  you,  and  tJic  whole  public, 
to  judge  and  weigh  him  by  the  history  and  documents  of  that 
very  Convention. 

Such  is  a  short  history  of  the  Hartford  Convention. 
How  unjust,  how  unreasonable,  how  absurd,  to  impute  to 
an  assembly  thus  constituted,  any  secret  or  sinister  design. 
The  members  of  the  Convention  were  appointed  by  dif- 
ferent Legislatures,  sitting  in  session  many  miles  apart 
from  each  other,  with  open  doors,  and  without  concert  or 
communication.  Emphatically,  "  their  breath  was  in  their 
nostrils,"  and  the  Legislatures  who  appointed  them,  were 
destined  to  expire  by  the  operations  of  their  own  Consti- 
tutions, before  it  could  have  been  possible  to  mature  a  plan 
of  insubordination. 

The  Report  was  regularly,  and  without  delay,  made  to 
the  Legislature,  from  whom  they  received  their  authority, 
and  accepted  by  a  vast  majority,  (159  to  48.)  Here  then 
obviously  ends  the  individual  responsibility  of  the  Dc-le- 


19 


gates,  except  what  belongs  to  them  in  common  with  all 
who  voted  in  the  General  Court. 

Mr.  Otis  and  eleven  gentlemen  consented,  in  a  time  of 
extreme  solicitude  and  public  danger,  distress,  and  diffi- 
culty, to  accept  a  most  unwelcome  commission  from  the 
Legislature,  from  which  no  personal  benefit  or  advantage 
could  in  any  shape  result.  Regardless  of  the  most  intem- 
perate language,  and  most  violent  threats,  they  performed 
the  duty  assigned  to  them,  and  rendered  their  account, 
which  was  fully  and  honourably  accepted.  The  outcry 
now  raised  against  the  Convention  is,  therefore,  in  the 
nature  of  an  appeal  to  the  people  themselves,  for  a  judg- 
ment of  entiie  approbation,  delivered  eight  years  ago ;  and 
constantly  affirmed  by  every  possible  token  and  demon- 
stration of  respect,  attachment,  and  confidence ;  of  which 
circumstance,  the  following  eleven  brief  biographical  no- 
tices furnish  most  abundant  and  most  unanswerable  evi- 
dence. 

George  Cabot,  of  Boston,  the  President  of  the  Convention. 
He  has  held  no  public  office  since  that  period,  nor  had  he 
been  in  any  political  situation  for  many  years  before. 
Every  body  will  admit  that  there  is  no  office  in  this  State 
for  which  he  could  not,  in  the  case  of  vacancy,  have  re- 
ceived as  full  a  vote  as  any  man  in  Massachusetts,  if  he 
had  had  a  desire  to  engage  in  public  life. 

Nathan  Dam,  of  Beverly.  He  performed  eminent  ser- 
vices in  Congress,  and  in  the  State  Legislature,  for  many 
years ;  but  he  had  withdrawn  from  public  life,  and  was 
then,  and  has  been  since  engaged  in  a  most  valuable  voca. 
tion,  the  preparing  of  a  digest  of  common  law,  adapted  to 
this  country.  Mr.  Dane  possesses  the  respect,  confidence, 
and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him,  and,  as  his  townsmen  will 


20 

declare,  might  have  been  in  the  Legislature  from  that  day 
to  the  present. 

William  Prescott,  of  Boston.  He  has  been  a  Counsellor 
a  Senator,  or  a  Representative,  whenever  his  business  per- 
mitted him  to  be  so.  He  was  a  member  of  the  late  State 
Convention,  and  at  present  presides  in  the  Common  Council 
of  this  City,  as  we  understand,  by  a  unanimous  vote. 

Harrison  Gray  Otis,  of  Boston.  He  was  chosen  the  two 
years  succeeding  the  Convention,  a  member  of  the  Legis- 
lature, and  in  the  second  year  he  was  elected  by  a  unani- 
mous vote  of  the  political  party  with  which  he  acted, 
Senator  of  the  United  States  ;  and  he  has  just  been  recom- 
mended by  a  federal  Convention  of  the  Legislature,  to  the 
suffrages  of  the  citizens,  for  the  office  of  Governor. 

Timothy  Bigelow,  of  Medford.  He  was  constantly  re- 
turned to  the  General  Court,  and  was  constantly  elected 
Speaker  of  the  popular  branch  ;  and  having  resigned  that 
office,  he  was  chosen  into  the  Council. 

Joshua  Thomas,  of  Plymouth.  He  held  an  office  in  Ply- 
mouth County,  incompatible  with  a  seat  in  the  Legisla- 
ture. He  was  the  upright,  popular,  and  honoured  Judge 
of  Probate,  to  the  time  of  his  lamented  death. 

Joseph  Lyman,  of  Northampton.  He  also  is  ineligible  to  a 
seat  in  the  Legislature;  he  is  the  Sheriff  of  Hampshire,  and 
discharges  the  duties  of  that  office  to  the  acceptance  of  the 
people.  He  was  a  member  of  the  State  Convention,  and  was 
lately  nominated  by  the  federal  Convention  as  candidate 
for  the  office  of  Lieutenant  Governor,  which  he  declined. 

Daniel  Waldo,  of  Worcester,  He  has  been  returned  to 
the  Senate  of  the  State  whenever  his  business  permitted 
him  so  to  be.  He  possesses,  at  this  moment,  entire  respect 
and  consideration,  not  only  in  his  place  of  residence,  but 
throughout  the  Commonwealth. 


21 

Hodijah  Baylies,  of  Dighton.  Also  a  Judge  of  Probate 
in  the  County  of  Bristol — an  aid-de-camp  to  a  distinguished 
General  officer  during  the  revolution.  Ask  any  man  in 
Bristol  if  he  is  surpassed  in  popular  esteem  by  any  other 
citizen  ?  There  can  be  but  one  opinion. 

George  Bliss,  of  Springfield.  He  has,  also,  been  again 
and  again  a  member  of  the  government,  and  was  distin- 
guished in  the  State  Convention.  He  possesses  in  a  high 
degree,  the  confidence  of  the  people. 

Samuel  S.  Wilde,  of  Newburyport.  He  has  since  that 
time  been  appointed  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Judicial 
Court.  He  was,  also,  a  member  of  the  late  State  Conven- 
tion. Judge  Wilde  is  beloved  and  respected,  and  possesses 
the  attachment  and  confidence  of  the  people. 

These  are  all  the  members  now  resident  in  Massachusetts 
proper. 

Now,  with  the  utmost  earnestness  and  sincerity,  we  ask 
any  candid,  honest  man,  if  he  believes  in  his  conscience, 
that  these  eleven  persons  above  named,  were  capable  of 
plotting  a  conspiracy  against  the  national  government — of 
exciting  to  a  civil  war — of  leading  to  a  dissolution  of  the 
the  Union — of  submitting  to  an  allegiance  to  George  the 
Third  ?  We  ask  again,  if  these  very  identical  persons  are 
not  precisely  such  men  as  the  people  and  the  public,  upon 
all  occasions,  do  honourably  and  confidently  trust  and 
employ  ?  And  for  the  last  time,  we  ask  the  candid  and 
honest  men  of  this  State,  if  the  people  and  the  public  have 
not  from  year  to  year  given  proof  and  evidence  not  to  be 
denied  or  refuted,  that  they  utterly  and  totally  disregard 
the  numberless  misrepresentations  and  mistatements  which 
violent  men  have  laboured  for  eight  years  to  cast  upon 
the  conduct  and  characters  of  these  virtuous,  uprighti 
enlightened,  and  patriotic  individuals  ? 


SECRET  JOURNAL, 


OF   THE 


HARTFORD  CONVENTION. 


HARTFORD,  THURSDAY,  DEC.  15,  1814. 

This  being  the  day  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the 
Convention  of  Delegates  from  the  New  England  States, 
assembled  for  the  purpose  of  conferring  on  such  subjects 
as  may  come  before  them,  the  following  persons,  from 
those  States,  met  in  the  Council  Chamber  of  the  State 
House,  in  Hartford,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  viz. : — 

From  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  GEORGE  CABOT,  WIL- 
LIAM PRESCOTT,  HARRISON  GRAY  OTIS,  TIMOTHY  BIGELOW, 
NATHAN  DANE,  GEORGE  BLISS,  JOSHUA  THOMAS,  HODIJAH 
BAYLIES,  DANIEL  WALDO,  JOSEPH  LYMAN,  SAMUEL  S.  WILDE, 
and  STEPHEN  LONGFELLOW. 

From  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  Messrs.  DANIEL  LYMAN, 
BENJAMIN  HAZARD,  and  EDWARD  MANTON. 

From  the  State  of  Connecticut,  Messrs.  CHAUNCEY  GOOD- 
RICH, JAMES  HILLHOUSE,  JOHN  TREADWELL,  ZEPHENIAH 
SWIFT,  NATHANIEL  SMITH,  CALVIN  GODDARD,  and  ROGER  M. 
SHERMAN. 

From  the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  Messrs.  BENJAMIN 
WEST,  and  MILES  OLCUTT. 

Upon  being  called  to  order  by  Mr.  Cabot,  the  persons 
present  proceeded  to  choose,  by  ballot,  a  President — 


23 

Messrs.  Bigelow  and  Goodrich  were  appointed  to  receive 
and  count  the  votes  given  in  for  that  purpose,  who  report- 
ed that  Mr.  GEORGE  CABOT,  a  member  from  Massachusetts, 
was  unanimously  chosen. 

On  motion,  voted,  that  the  Convention  proceed  to  the 
choice  of  a  person  to  be  their  Secretary,  who  is  not  a 
member  of  the  Convention ;  and  the  votes  having  been 
received  and  counted,  THEODORE  DWIGHT,  of  Hartford, 
was  declared  to  be  chosen  unanimously. 

Messrs.  Otis,  Hillhouse,  and  Lyman,  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  examine  the  credentials  of  the  members  re- 
turned to  serve  in  the  Convention,  and  report  the  names 
of  such  as  they  should  find  duly  qualified ;  who,  having 
attended  to  the  subject  of  their  said  appointment,  made 
the  following  report : — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  the  credentials 
of  the  members  returned  to  serve  in  the  Convention  now 
assembled  at  Hartford,  have  attended  to  that  service,  and 
find  the  following  persons  to  have  been  elected  members 
thereof  by  the  respective  Legislatures  of  the  following 
States ; — From  Massachusetts,  George  Cabot,  William  Pres- 
cott,  Harrison  Gray  Otis,  Timothy  Bigelow,  Stephen 
Longfellow,  Daniel  Waldo,  George  Bliss,  Nathan  Dane, 
Hodijah  Baylies,  Joshua  Thomas,  Joseph  Lyman,  and 
Samuel  S.  Wilde.  From  Rhode  Island,  Daniel  Lyman, 
Samuel  Ward,  Benjamin  Hazard,  and  Edward  Manton. 
From  Connecticut,  Chauncey  Goodrich,  James  Hillhouse, 
John  Treadwell,  Zepheniah  Swift,  Calvin  Goddard,  Na- 
thaniel Smith,  and  Roger  Minot  Sherman. 

The  Committee  also  report,  that  at  a  conventional 
meeting  of  twenty  towns  in  the  County  of  Cheshire,  in 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  Hon.  Benjamin  West  was 
elected  to  meet  in  this  Convention ;  and  at  a  conventional 
meeting  of  delegates  from  most  of  the  towns  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  Grafton,  and  from  the  town  of  Lancaster,  in  the 
County  of  Coos,  Miles  Olcutt,  Esq.  was  elected  to  meet  in 
this  Convention  ;  and  the  Committee  are  of  opinion,  that 
the  above  named  persons  are  entitled  to  take  their  seats 
as  members  of  this  Convention. 

On  motion,  voted,  that  said  report  be  accepted  and  ap- 
proved. 


24 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Otis,  voted,  that  the  Convention  be 
opened  with  prayer,  and  that  the  delegation  from  the 
State  of  Connecticut  be  requested  to  invite  a  clergyman 
belonging  to  the  town  of  Hartford,  to  perform  that  ser- 
vice. 

On  motion,  voted,  that  Messrs.  Goddard,  Bigelow,  and 
Lyman,  be  a  committee  to  prepare  rules  of  proceeding 
for  this  Convention. 

The  Convention  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Strong,  of  Hartford. 

On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  to 
3  o'clock,  P.  M.  of  this  day,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

THURSDAY,  DEC.  15,  3  O'CLOCK,  P.  M. 

The  Convention  met  agreeably  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  rules  of  proceed- 
ing, proper  to  be  observed  by  this  Convention,  &c.  made 
the  following  report. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  rules  and  orders, 
proper  to  be  observed  by  this  Convention,  during  its 
continuance,  ask  leave  to  report  the  following  ;  which  are 
respectfully  submitted, 

CALVIN  GODDARD,  Per  Order. 

1.  The  meetings  of  this  Convention  shall  be  opened 
each  morning,  by  prayer,  which  it  is  requested  may  be 
performed,  alternately,  by  the  Chaplains  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  Connecticut,  residing  in  the  city  of  Hartford. 

2.  The  most  inviolable  secrecy  shall  be  observed  by 
each  member  of  this  Convention,  including  the  Secretary, 
as  to  all  propositions,  debates,  and  proceedings  thereof, 
until  this  injunction  shall  be  suspended,  or  altered. 

3.  The  Secretary  of  this  Convention  is  authorized  to 
employ  some  suitable  person  to  serve  as  a  door-keeper 
and  messenger,  together  with  a  suitable  assistant,  if  ne- 
cessary, neither  of  whom  are,  at  any  time,  to  be  made 
acquainted  with  any  of  the  debates  or  proceedings  of  the 
board. 

4.  That  the  President  of  this  Convention  be  authorized 
to  regulate  and  direct  the  debates  and  proceedings  there- 
of, in  such  manner  as  imay  seem  to  him  discreet  and  pro- 
per, and  to  name  all  their  committees. 


25 

On  motion,  voted,  that  said  report  be  accepted  and  ap- 
proved. 

On  motion,  voted,  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed 
to  inquire  what  subjects  will  be  proper  to  be  considered 
by  this  Convention,  and  report  such  propositions  for  that 
purpose,  as  they  may  think  expedient,  to  the  Convention, 
to-morrow  morning. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  on  that  com- 
mittee. Messrs.  Goodrich,  Otis,  Lyman,  of  R.  I.  Swift, 
and  Dane. 

On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  to 
10  o'clock  to-morrow  morning ;  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  16,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  agreeably  to  adjournment. 

The  Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Strong. 

Mr.  Ward,  a  member  from  the  State  of  R.  I.  attended, 
and  took  his  seat  in  the  Convention. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  inquire  what  subjects  will 
be  proper  to  be  considered  by  the  Convention,  and  to  re- 
port such  propositions  for  that  purpose,  as  they  may  think 
expedient,  respectfully  Report : 

"  That  your  Committee  deem  the  following  to  be  pro- 
per subjects  for  the  consideration  of  the  Convention : — 
The  powers  claimed  by  the  executive  of  the  United 
States,  to  determine,  conclusively,  in  respect  to  calling  out 
the  militia  of  the  States  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States ;  and  the  dividing  the  United  States  into  military 
districts,  with  an  officer  of  the  army  in  each  thereof,  with 
discretionary  authority  from  the  executive  of  the  United 
States,  to  call  for  the  militia  to  be  under  the  command  of 
such  officer. — The  refusal  of  the  executive  of  the  United 
States  to  supply,  or  pay  the  militia  of  certain  States,  call- 
ed out  for  their  defence,  on  the  grounds  of  their  not  hav- 
ing been  called  out  under  the  authority  of  the  United 
States,  or  not  having  been,  by  the  executive  of  the  State, 
put  under  the  command  of  the  commander  over  the  mili- 
tary district. — The  failure  of  the  Government  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  to  supply  and  pay  the  militia  of  the  States,  by 
them  admitted  to  have  been  in  the  United  States'  ser- 
vice.— The  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Congress, 
4 


26 

on  filling  the  ranks  of  the  army,  together  with  a  bill,  or 
act,  on  that  subject. — A  bill  before  Congress,  providing 
for  classing  and  drafting  the  militia. — The  expenditure  of 
the  revenue  of  the  nation  in  offensive  operations  on  the 
neighbouring  provinces  of  the  enemy. — The  failure  of  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  to  provide  for  the  com- 
mon defence ;  and  the  consequent  obligations,  necessity 
and  burdens,  devolved  on  the  separate  States,  to  defend 
themselves ;  together  with  the  mode,  and  the  ways  and 
means,  in  their  power  for  accomplishing  the  object." 

On  motion,  voted,  that  said  Report  be  accepted  and  ap- 
proved. On  motion,  voted,  that  a  committee  of  three  be 
appointed  to  obtain  such  documents  and  information  as 
may  be  necessary  for  the  use  and  consideration  of  the 
Convention,  and  may  be  connected  with  their  proceed- 
ings. Mr.  Hillhouse,  Mr.  Bliss,  and  Mr.  Hazard,  were 
appointed  on  that  committee.  On  motion,  voted,  that  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Perkins  be  invited  to  attend  in  turn  with  the 
other  gentlemen  already  invited,  as  chaplains.  On  mo- 
tion, voted,  that  the  injunction  of  secrecy,  as  to  the  pro- 
ceedings of  yesterday,  be  removed.  On  motion,  voted, 
that  the  Convention  be  adjourned  to  3  o'clock,  P.  M.  of 
this  day,  then  to  meet  in  this  place. 

Three  o'clock,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met  agreeably 
to  adjournment.  After  spending  the  afternoon  in  various 
discussions  of  important  subjects,  on  motion,  voted,  that 
this  Convention  be  adjourned  till  to-morrow.  10  o'clock. 
A.  M.  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  17,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  agreeably  to  adjournment. 

The  Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Strong.  After  spending  the  forenoon  in  discussing 
the  first  section  of  the  Report  of  the  Committee  made  on 
Friday,  on  motion,  voted,  that  when  this  Convention  ad- 
journ, it  be  adjourned  till  Monday  next.  On  motion, 
voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  till  Monday 
next,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  then  to  meet  at  this  place- 

MONDAY,  DECBEMER  19,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  agreeably  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Chase. 


27 

On  motion,  voted,  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appoint- 
ed to  prepare  and  report  a  general  project  of  such  mea- 
sures as  it  may  be  proper  for  this  Convention  to  adopt. 

Messrs.  Smith,  Otis,  Goddard,  West,  and  Hazard,  were 
appointed  to  be  of  that  committee. 

On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned 
till  3  o'clock,  this  afternoon,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

Three  o'clock,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met  agreeably 
to  adjournment.  On  motion,  voted,  that  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Cushman  be  invited  to  attend  in  turn  with  the  other  gen- 
tlemen already  invited,  as  chaplains. 

After  spending  the  afternoon  in  discussing  the  Report  of 
the  Committee,  on  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be 
adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  10  o'clock,  then  to  be 
held  at  this  place. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  20,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  agreeably  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Pr. 
Strong.  The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  and  report 
a  general  project  of  such  measures  as  it  may  be  proper 
for  this  Convention  to  adopt,  made  a  report,  which  was 
laid  in  and  read.  After  discussing  several  articles  of  the 
said  Report,  the  further  consideration  of  it  was  postponed 
until  the  afternoon.  On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Conven- 
tion be  adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  this  afternoon,  then  to 
meet  at  this  place. 

Three  o'c/oc/r,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  The  Convention  resumed  the  considera- 
tion of  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  which  was  postponed 
in  the  forenoon ;  and  after  discussion  through  the  after- 
noon, the  same  was  postponed  until  the  morning.  On 
motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  until  to- 
morrow morning,  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  then  to  meet  at  this 
place. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  21,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Chase.  The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of 
the  Report  postponed  yesterday.  After  spending  the 
time  of  the  forenoon  in  discussion  .of  the  Report  of  the 
Committee,  the  further  consideration  was  postponed  to 


28 

the  afternoon.  On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention 
be  adjourned  to  3  o'clock,  this  afternoon,  then  to  meet  at 
this  place. 

Three  o'c/ocfc,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  The  Convention  resumed  the  considera- 
tion of  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  which  was  postponed 
in  the  forenoon.  On  motion,  voted,  that  a  committee  of 
seven  be  raised  to  prepare  a  Report  illustrative  of  the 
principles  and  reasons  which  have  induced  the  Conven- 
tion to  adopt  the  results  to  which  they  have  agreed. — Mr. 
Otis,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Sherman,  Mr.  Dane,  Mr.  Prescott, 
Mr.  West,  and  Mr.  Hazard,  are  appointed  on  that  com- 
mittee. On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  ad- 
journed till  to-morrow  morning,  10  o'clock. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  22,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Perkins.  The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of 
the  Report  of  the  Committee,  postponed  last  evening. — 
After  spending  the  forenoon  in  discussing  said  Report,  the 
further  consideration  was  postponed  till  this  afternoon. — 
On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  till 
3  o'clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

Three  o'c/oc/c,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met,  agreeably 
to  adjournment.  The  Convention  resumed  the  considera- 
tion of  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  which  was  postpon- 
ed in  the  forenoon.  After  spending  the  afternoon  in  dis- 
cussing said  Report,  the  further  consideration  thereof  was 
postponed.  On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be 
adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  10  o'clock,  then  to  meet 
at  this  place. 

FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  23,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Chase.  The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of 
the  Report  of  the  Committee,  which  was  postponed  yes- 
terday. After  spending  the  forenoon  in  discussing  the 
Report  of  the  Committee,  the  further  consideration  thereof 
was  postponed  until  to-morrow.  On  motion,  voted,  that 


29 

this  Convention  be  adjourned  until  to-morrow  morning,  10 
o'clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  24,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Perkins.  The  President  communicated  an  address  from 
a  number  of  citizens  belonging  to  the  County  of  Wash- 
ington, in  the  State  of  New  York,  which  was  read.  On 
motion,  voted,  that  the  said  address  be  referred  to  the 
Committee  appointed  on  the  21st  inst. 

The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Re- 
port of  the  Committee,  which  was  postponed  yesterday. 
On  motion,  voted,  that  another  member  be  added  to  the 
Committee  appointed  on  the  21st  inst.  Mr.  Sherman  being 
necessarily  absent.  Mr.  Swift  was  appointed  on  said 
Committee. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  which  was  laid  in  on  the 
20th  instant,  having  been  under  discussion  at  the  several 
meetings  of  the  Convention,  and  having  been  amended, 
was  adopted,  and  referred  to  the  committee  appointed  on 
the  21st.  to  report;  which  Report  is  as  follows,  viz. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  and  report  a  ge- 
neral project  of  such  measures  as  it  may  be  proper  for  this 
Convention  to  adopt,  respectfully  report : 

1.  That  it  will  be  expedient  for  this  Convention  to  pre- 
pare a  general  statement  of  the  unconstitutional  attempts 
of  the  Executive  Government  of  the  United  States  to  in- 
fringe upon  the  rights  of  the  individual  States,  in  regard 
to  the  militia,  and  of  the  still  more  alarming  claims  to  in- 
fringe the  rights  of  the  States,  manifested  in  the  letter  of 
the  Secretary  of  War,  and  in  the  bills  pending  before  Con- 
gress, or  acts  passed  by  them,  and  also  to  recommend  to 
the  Legislatures  of  the  States,  the  adoption  of  the  most  effec- 
tual and  decisive  measures,  to  protect  the  Militia  and  the 
States  from  the  usurpations  contained  in  these  proceedings. 

2.  That  it  will  be  expedient,  also,  to  prepare  a  state- 
ment, exhibiting  the  necessity  which  the  improvidence 
and  inability  of  the  General  Government  have  imposed 
upon  the  several  States,  of  providing  for  their  own  de- 
fence, and  the  impossibility  of  their  discharging  this  duty, 
and  at  the  same  time  fulfilling  the  requisitions  of  the  Ge- 


30 

neral  Government ;  and  also,  to  recommend  to  the  Legis- 
latures of  the  several  States,  to  make  provision  for  mutual 
defence,  and  to  make  an  earnest  application  to  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  with  a  ,view  to  some  arrange- 
ment, whereby  the  States  may  be  enable  to  retain  a  portion 
of  the  taxes  levied  by  Congress,  for  the  purposes  of  self 
detence,  and  for  the  reimbursement  of  expenses  already 
incurred,  on  account  of  the  United  States. 

3.  That  it  is  expedient  to  recommend  to  the  several 
State  Legislatures,  certain  amendments  to  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States,  hereafter  enumerated,  to  be  by  them 
adopted  and  proposed.  (The  remainder  of  this  article  in 
the  Report  was  postponed. 

1.  That  the  power  to  declare  or  make  war,  by  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States  be  restricted. 

2.  That  it  is  expedient  to  attempt  to  make  provision  for 
restraining  Congress  in  the  exercise  of  an  unlimited  power, 
to  make  new  States,  and  admit  them  into  this  Union. 

3.  That  the  powers  of  Congress  be  restrained  in  laying 
embargoes,  and  restrictions  on  commerce. 

4.  That  a  President  shall  not  be  elected  from  the  same 
State  two  terms  successively. 

5.  That  the  same  person  shall  not  be  elected  President 
a  second  time. 

6.  That  an  amendment  be  proposed,  respecting  slave 
representation,  and  slave  taxation. 

On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  to 
Monday  afternoon,  three  o'clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

MONDAY,  DECEMBER  26,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Woodbridge,  of  Hadley,  Massachusetts.  The  Committee 
not  being  prepared  to  lay  in  their  Report,  on  motion,  voted, 
that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning, 
ten  o'clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  27,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Per- 
kins* The  Committee  not  being  prepared  to  lay  in  their 


31 

Report,  on  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned 
till  this  afternoon,  three  o'clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 
Three  o'c/ocA:,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  The  Committee  not  being  prepared  to  lay 
in  their  Report,  on  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be 
adjourned  to  to-morrow  morning,  ten  o'clock,  then  to  meet 
at  this  place. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  28,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Chase.  A  certificate  of  the  proceedings  of  a  Convention 
in  the  County  of  Windham,  in  the  State  of  Vermont,  ap- 
pointing the  Hon.  William  Hall,  jr.  to  represent  the  people 
of  that  County  in  this  Convention,  was  read.  On  motion, 
voted,  that  the  Hon.  William  Hall,  jr.  is  entitled  to  a  seat 
in  this  Convention  ;  and  that  the  Hon.  Mr.  Olcott,  of  New 
Hampshire,  be  requested  to  introduce  Mr.  Hall,  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  his  seat. 

Mr.  Hall,  a  member  from  the  County  of  Windham,  in 
the  State  of  Vermont,  attended,  and  took  his  seat  in  the 
Convention.  The  Report  of  the  Committee  not  being  pre- 
pared, on  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned 
to  three  o'clock,  this  afternoon ;  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

Three  o'clock,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  The  Report  of  the  Committee  not  being 
prepared,  upon  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  ad- 
journed to  to-morrow  morning,  ten  o'clock. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  29,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Strong.  On  motion,  voted,  that  the  following  proposition 
be  referred  to  the  Committee  appointed  on  the  21st  instant. 

"  That  the  capacity  of  naturalized  citizens,  to  hold  offices 
of  trust,  honour,  or  profit,  ought  to  be  restrained  ;  and  that 
it  is  expedient  to  propose  an  amendment  to  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States,  in  relation  to  that  subject." 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  not  being  prepared,  on 
motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  to  three 
o'clock,  this  afternoon,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

Three  o'c/ocfc,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  The  Report  of  the  Committee  not  being' 
prepared,  on  motion,  voted,  that  this  Conveution  be  ad- 


32 

journed  till  to-morrow  morning,  ten  o'clock,  then  to  meet 
at  this  place. 

FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  30,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Perkins.  The  Committee  appointed  on  the  21st  instant 
presented  their  Report,  which  was  read  twice.  The  fore- 
noon having  been  spent  in  reading  the  Report,  on  motion, 
voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  till  three  o'clock, 
this  afternoon,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

Three  o'clock,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  After  spending  the  afternoon  in  discussing 
the  Report,  the  subject  was  postponed.  On  motion,  voted, 
that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning, 
ten  o'clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  31,  1814. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Chase.  The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
Report,  postponed  yesterday.  On  motion,  voted,  that  a 
Committee,  to  consist,  of  three,  be  appointed  to  procure  that 
part  of  the  Report,  which  relates  to  the  militia,  printed  con- 
fidentially. Messrs.  Goodrich,  Lyman,  of  Massachusetts, 
and  Goddard,  were  appointed  on  that  Committee.  After 
having  spent  the  forenoon  in  considering  the  Report,  the 
further  consideration  thereof  was  postponed.  On  motion, 
voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  till  half  past  two 
o'clock,  this  afternoon,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

Three  o'c/ocA;,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration 
of  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  which  was  postponed  in 
the  forenoon.  After  having  spent  the  afternoon  in  dis- 
cussing the  Report  of  the  Committee,  the  further  consi- 
deration thereof  was  postponed.  On  motion,  voted,  that  a 
Committee  of  three  persons  be  appointed  to  ascertain  what 
expenses  have  been  incurred  in  this  Convention,  which  it 
is  necessary  for  them  to  defray,  and  to  report  the  mode  of 
discharging  them.  Mr.  Goddard,  Mr.  Prescott,  and  Mr. 
Ward,  were  appointed  on  that  Committee.  On  motion, 
voted,  that  the  first  eight  pages  of  the  Report,  be  recom- 
mitted to  the  Committee  which  reported  it,  to  reconsider 


33 

the  same.  On  motion,  voted,  that  the  same  Committee 
report  such  documents  and  articles  as  they  may  think 
proper,  to  compose  an  Appendix  to  the  Report. 

On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  till 
Monday  morning,  ten  o'clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

MONDAY,  JANUARY  2,  1815. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Chase.  The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
Report  of  the  Committee  which  was  postponed  from  Satur- 
day. After  spending  the  forenoon  in  discussing  the  Report, 
the  further  consideration  thereof  was  postponed.  On  mo- 
tion, voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  till  half  past 
two  o'clock,  this  afternoon,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

Half  past  two  o'c/oc/c,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met,  pur- 
suant to  adjournment.  The  Convention  resumed  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Report  of  the  Committee  which  was 
postponed  in  the  forenoon.  After  spending  the  afternoon 
in  discussing  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  the  further 
consideration  thereof  was  postponed.  On  motion,  voted, 
that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning, 
nine  o'clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

TUESDAY,  JANUARY  3,  1815. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Perkins.  The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of 
the  Report  of  the  Committee  which  was  postponed  yester- 
day. After  spending  the  forenoon  in  discussing  the  Report 
of  the  Committee,  the  same  was  postponed  till  the  after- 
noon. On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned 
till  three  o'clock,  this  afternoon,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

Three  o'c/ocA;,  P.  M. — The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration 
of  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  which  was  postponed  in 
the  forenoon.  After  discussing  and  amending  the  Report 
of  the  Committee,  voted,  that  the  same  be  accepted  and 
approved.  On  motion,  resolved,  that  the  injunction  of 
secrecy,  in  regard  to  all  the  debates  and  proceedings  of 
this  Convention,  except  in  so  far  as  relates  to  the  Report 
.5 


31 

finally  adopted,  be,  and  hereby  is,  continued.  On  motion, 
voted,  that  a  Committee  of  three  persons  be  appointed  to 
consider  and  report  what  measures  it  will  be  expedient  to 
recommend  to  the  States,  for  their  mutual  defence.  Mr. 
Prescott,  Mr.  Wilde,  and  Mr.  Manton,  were  appointed  on 
the  Committee. 

On  motion,  voted,  that  Mr.  Sherman  be  added  to  the 
Committee  for  superintending  the  printing  of  the  Report. 
On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  till 
to-morrow  morning,  ten  o'clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  4,  1815. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  The 
Convention  was  opened  with  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Chase.  On  motion,  voted,  that  certain  documents  before 
the  Convention,  be  published,  Avith  the  following  title, 
u  Statements  prepared  and  published,  by  order  of  the  Con- 
vention of  Delegates,  held  at  Hartford,  Dec.  15,  1814,  and 
printed  by  their  order." 

On  motion,  voted,  that  Mr.  Goodrich  be  discharged  from 
any  further  services  on  the  Committee  to  superintend  the 
printing  of  the  Report,  &c.  On  motion,  voted,  that  another 
member  be  added  to  that  Committee.  Mr.  Otis  was  ap- 
pointed to  that  place.  The  Committee  appointed  to  report 
what  measures  it  will  be  expedient  to  recommend  to  the 
States,  for  their  mutual  defence,  presented  a  Report,  which 
was  read.  On  motion,  voted,  that  the  said  Report  be  ac- 
cepted and  approved.  On  motion,  voted,  that  this  Con- 
vention be  adjourned  till  three  o'clock  this  afternoon,  then 
to  meet  at  this  place. 

Three  o'clock,  P.  M.  The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  On  motion,  voted,  that  two  copies  of  the 
Report  of  the  Convention,  subscribed  by  all  the  members, 
who  shall  be  disposed  to  sign  the  same,  be  forwarded  to 
each  of  the  Governors  of  the  States  of  Massachusetts, 
Connecticut,  Rhode  Island,  New  Hampshire,  and  Ver- 
mont ;  one  of  which  to  be  for  the  private  use  of  the  said 
Governors,  and  with  a  request  that  the  other,  at  some  pro- 
per time,  may  be  laid  before  the  Legislatures  of  the  States 
aforesaid. 

Mr.  Goodrich  submitted  the  following  Resolution  to  the 
Convention.  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Convcn- 


35 

lion  be  presented  to  the  Hon.  GEORGE  CABOT,  in  testimony 
of  the  respectful  sense  they  entertain  of  his  conduct, 
whilst  presiding  over  their  deliberations. 

On  the  question  being  put  by  the  Secretary,  it  passed 
in  the  affirmative,  unanimously.  On  motion,  voted,  that 
the  Convention  be  adjourned  till  7  o'clock,  this  evening, 
then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

Seven  o'clock,  P.  M. — The  committee  met,  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  On  motion,  voted,  that  the  Report,  as 
amended,  and  the  Resolves  accompanying  the  same,  be 
accepted  and  approved.  On  motion,  voted,  that  the  Dele- 
gates from  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  Rhode  Island, 
take  two  copies  of  the  Report  of  the  Convention,  and  de- 
liver the  same  to  the  Governors  of  those  States,  agreeably 
to  the  vote  of  the  Convention  passed  this  day,  and  that  the 
President  be  requested  to  transmit  two  copies  of  the  Re- 
port to  the  Governors  of  the  States  of  New  Hampshire 
and  Vermont,  together  with  a  copy  of  the  vote  of  the  Con- 
vention aforesaid. 

On  motion,  voted,  That  at  the  close  of  the  Convention, 
the  Journal  be  committed  to  the  care  of  the  President. 
On  motion,  voted,  That  the  Convention  be  adjourned  till 
to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  5,  1 8 1 5 — 9  o'c/ocA-,  A.  M. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment — after 
solemn  prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Strong,  on  motion,  voted, 
that  this  Convention  be  adjourned  without  day. 

ATTEST,  THEODORE  DWIGHT,  Secretary. 


[CERTIFICATE.] 

I,  GEORGE  CABOT,  late  President  of  the  Convention,  as- 
sembled at  Hartford,  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  December, 
1814,  do  hereby  certify,  that  the  foregoing  is  the  original 
and  only  Journal  of  the  proceedings  of  that  Convention  ; 
and  that  the  twenty-seven  written  pages,  which  compose  it, 
and  the  printed  report,  heretofore  published,  comprise  a 
faithful  and  complete  record  of  all  the  motions,  resolutions, 


votes,  and  proceedings,  of  that  Convention. — And  I  do 
further  certify,  that  this  journal  has  been  constantly  in  my 
exclusive  custody,  from  the  time  of  the  adjournment  of 
the  Convention,  to  the  delivery  of  it  into  the  office  of  the 
Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth. 

GEORGE  CABOT. 
Boston,  Nov.  16f/i,  1819. 


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